Pedestrian bridge in Rowen.
By Mason Ailstock
CEO of the Rowen Foundation
AUBURN, Ga. | As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on the significant strides we’ve made over the past year and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in 2025. At Rowen, we stand at the crossroads of real estate development and community-building, blending state-of-the-art infrastructure with a commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration.
Our vision is clear: to develop a world-class hub that unites global industries in medicine, agriculture, and the environment. At the same time, we are dedicated to creating a place where people thrive—a place where business, research, and community come together to shape the future.
The progress we’ve made in 2024 lays a solid foundation for the years to come. This year, we engaged with over 400 students and faculty from local universities through initiatives that support both education and innovation. We invested $175,000 into Living Lab projects that promote sustainability, research, and applied science. Additionally, we supported a statewide AI initiative in partnership with Emory University that educated Georgians across the state. Our Convergence Summit highlighted Gwinnett-based companies and brought together industry and academic leaders from across the country.
On-site, we completed two miles of complete-streets and four miles of multi-modal trails as part of the first phase of our horizontal infrastructure (roads, power, water, fiber conduits, and other utilities). These trails connect seamlessly to Gwinnett County’s regional trail system, and our roads will be transferred to the county and open in the first quarter of 2025.
This new infrastructure opens up 800 of our 2,000 acres for development. These efforts created over 240 construction jobs, with 34 percent of the total contract amount going to women and minority-owned businesses, furthering our commitment to diversified economic opportunities in the workforce. In total, $32 million was invested into Georgia’s first Greenroads Pilot Project—a sustainable road system that aligns with our broader goals for environmental stewardship.
Environmental sustainability remains a cornerstone of our mission. In 2024, we planted 440 trees and 6,486 shrubs—all native species—to support the local ecosystem while enhancing the beauty and function of the landscape. These efforts, along with the infrastructure investments, position Rowen as a prime example of how development can coexist with, and even support, nature.
We are grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built over the past year. Collaboration with organizations such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Gwinnett County, Partnership Gwinnett, Georgia Power, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, has been integral to our growth. These alliances have not only attracted the attention of top industries to the area but also strengthened our academic ties with Georgia’s leading universities and colleges anchored in providing the highly skilled, dependable, next generation workforce of the future.
As we move toward 2025, the momentum we’ve built in 2024 will only grow stronger. Rowen’s growth is accelerating, and we remain focused on creating a vibrant, dynamic environment where innovation can flourish. Our goal for the coming year is to deepen existing partnerships, bring in new industry leaders, and expand economic opportunities for all Georgians. We are committed to making Rowen a place where people don’t just work but thrive—where ideas are nurtured, businesses succeed, and communities come together to create lasting impact.
Gwinnett County, thank you for being a part of this journey. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to what we can achieve together in 2025 and beyond.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
Follow Us